- Title: Indians seek alternative fuel as LPG cooking gas crisis deepens due to Iran war
- Date: 4th April 2026
- Summary: MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA (APRIL 4, 2026) (ANI - No use India) CROWD GATHERED OUTSIDE CLOSED LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS DISTRIBUTION (LPG) CENTRE SIGNBOARD OF GAS COMPANY READING (Hindi): "BHARATGAS" MAN SITTING ON GAS CANISTER / LOCALS QUEUEING OUTSIDE CLOSED LPG DISTRIBUTION CENTRE NOTICE STUCK OUTSIDE LPG DISTRIBUTION CENTRE PADLOCK ON LOCKED GATE OF LPG DISTRIBUTION CENT
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: crisis gas iran israel lpg strait of hormuz us
- Location: MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, AND HARIDWAR, UTTARAKHAND, INDIA
- City: MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, AND HARIDWAR, UTTARAKHAND, INDIA
- Country: India
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Conflicts/War/Peace,Military Conflicts
- Reuters ID: LVA001994104042026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Frustrated crowds in Mumbai queued outside a locked liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distribution centre on Saturday (April 4) hoping to re-supply as India, the world's second-largest LPG importer, is battling its worst gas crisis in decades.
Iran has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli strikes which began in late February, allowing only "friendly nations" including China, Russia, India, Iraq and Pakistan to pass through.
To ease the pressure on LPG supplies, India has been promoting the use of alternatives such as kerosene, coal and biogas, while accelerating the rollout of piped natural gas for households.
India meets about 60% of its LPG needs with overseas purchases and shipped in about 22 million metric tons of LPG in 2025, mostly from the Middle East, spending nearly $12 billion.
The world's most populous country has been hit hard by LPG supply disruptions, exposing vulnerabilities in its import-dependent energy system and prompting officials to take steps to manage supply and demand.
India has 333.7 million household LPG customers including 106 million low-income families receiving subsidised gas and the government is using the cooking gas crisis to plug leaks in its local distribution chain and strengthen infrastructure to expedite a shift towards piped gas as it looks to reduce liquefied petroleum gas imports and spending on subsidies.
The government has invoked emergency powers to ensure that limited LPG supplies are directed toward actual household use and will halt supplies after three months for customers linked to piped gas connections.
(Production: Joe Raggett) - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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